What Trails are Currently Open in Western North Carolina Following Hurricane Helene

Amy Weits
May 20
4 min read

For those who don’t know me, I’m Amy 👋 I’m an adventure elopement photographer based out of Western North Carolina. My husband and I travel all over the country capturing awesome elopements but we call the Blue Ridge Mountains home ❤️ We have lived in the Asheville, NC area since 2018.

At the end of September 2024 Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina and caused unfathomable damage. But Appalachia is resilient and these mountains we call home are still just as beautiful.

A lot of our small mountain towns rely heavily upon tourism and visitors coming and admiring the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Right after the storm there was a lot of questions on what would still be accessible, was it safe to travel, etc.

At this point in time many of our favorite trails are open and our communities are happy to accept visitors again! So if you’re thinking of a Western North Carolina elopement, we would love to have you visit 💕

I wanted to create a little resource for couples to know what is currently open and accessible. I’ll keep this dated and update it regularly.

Also all of these photos are from spots currently accessible ❤️

So what trails & views are currently accessible in Western North Carolina?

Let's go over a little geography real quick. There are 4 sections of National Forest Lands in North Carolina: Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, Croatan National Forest, and Uwharrie National Forest. There are also 40+ state parks as well as the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. Can't forget to mention that Great Smoky National Park is also a part of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.

Western North Carolina is the area that was most affected by Hurricane Helene and is known for being the mountainous side of the state. Our National Forest in Western North Carolina are Pisgah National Forest & Nantahala National Forest.

This list is a summary of some of the most popular areas in Western North Carolina.

Table of Contents:

What's Open

Pisgah National Forest
Nantahala National Forest
Linville Gorge
Blue Ridge Parkway
Great Smoky National Park
Other Locations to Mention

What's Closed

Pisgah National Forest
Blue Ridge Parkway
Other Locations to Mention

Last updated May 20th. 2025

What's Open:

Pisgah National Forest - Mostly Open!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/alerts/hurricane-helene-pisgah-national-forest-closures

Some popular spots that are still accessible:

Looking Glass Falls
Moore Cove Falls
Max Patch

Nantahala National Forest - Open!

Some popular spots that are still accessible:

Wayah Bald
Dry Falls

Linville Gorge Wilderness - Open!

Some popular spots that are still accessible:

Hawksbill Trail
Wiseman’s View

Blue Ridge Parkway - partially open

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

**The Blue Ridge Parkway is issuing wedding permits again! They only have a select number of locations that they are allowing ceremonies.

Some popular spots that are still accessible:

Graveyard Fields
Black Balsam Knob
Sam’s Knob
Frying Pan Tower
Mount Pisgah

Great Smoky National Park - partially open

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

Some popular spots that are still accessible:

Cataloochee Valley
Cades Cove

Other Locations to Mention:

It doesn't always have to be a National Park or National Forest to still be beautiful. Just wanted to mention a couple other wonderful spots that are currently accessible:

Jump Off Rock - Hendersonville, NC
Dupont State Forest - Partially opened
Asheville Botanical Gardens
The North Carolina Arboretum
Pretty Place Chapel
Lake Junaluska

What's Closed:

Pisgah National Forest

- currently work is being done in the Appalachian Ranger District and the Grandfather Ranger District

Grandfather Ranger District- check out the forest service website for the most up to date information on closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r08/northcarolina/publication/fseprd1225686.pdf

Roan Mountain- check out the forest service website for the most up to date information on closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/alerts/roan-mountain-recreation-area-closure

Cloudland Trail
Roan Mountain Gardens Trail including Loop A and B
Roan Mountain Road & Balsam Road

Appalachian Ranger District- check out the forest service website for the most up to date information on closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r08/northcarolina/publication/01%20-%202025%20%20Helene%20Closure%20Order%20App%20RD_Signed_Complete.pdf

Mountains to Sea Trail
Ogle Meadows Road
All trails and roads within the Big Ivy and Shope Creek areas.
All trails and roads within the South Toe/Mt. Mitchell areas.
Lost Cove Trail
Devils Creek Trail
Bowlens Creek Road
Hunt Camp Road
Haynes Road (Hurricane Creek)
Buzzard Roost Road

Blue Ridge Parkway:

I highly suggest checking the blue ridge parkway website for the most up to date information on road closures. Currently much of the parkway North of Asheville starting at the Craven Gap Access Road (mile marker 377.4) to Little Switzerland (mile marker 339.9) is closed. Within this closed area are popular spots such as Mount Mitchell State Park and Craggy Gardens. There is no estimated opening date yet.

There is a section just after Black Balsam Knob (mile marker 420.2) that is closed, but the Black Balsam Trailhead is still accessible.

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/conditions.htm